USA > Ohio > Putnam County > A Portrait and biographical record of Allen and Putnam counties, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Ohio, pt 1 > Part 5
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At nineteen years of age, he commenced the practice of law. His success was rapid and astonishing. It is said that three months had not elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the docket of the court in which he was not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the state legislature. He connected himself with the democratic party, and warmly ad- vocated the measures of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he was elected to the legislature, receiving nearly the unanimous vote of his county.
When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected a member of congress. Here he acted earnestly and ably with the democratic party, opposing a national bank, internal improve- ments by the general government, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict construction of the constitution, and the most careful vigilance over state rights. His labors in congress were so arduous that before the close of his second term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in Charles City county, to recruit his health. He, however, soon after consented to take his seat in the state legislature, where his influence was powerful in promoting public works of great utility. He was then chosen by a very large majority of votes, governor of his native state. His administration was sig- nally a successful one, and his popularity secured his re-election.
John Randolphi, a brilliant, erratic, half-
crazed man, then represented Virginia in the senate of the United States. A portion of the democratic party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, and Tyler was the victor. In accordance with his professions, upon taking his seat in the senate, he joined the ranks of the opposition. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he stren- uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal improvements by the general government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view of nullifica- tion; he declared that Gen. Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles of the democratic party. Such was Mr. Tyler's record in congress-a record in perfect accordance with the principles which he had always avowed.
Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of his profession. There was a split in the democratic party. His friends still re- garded him as a true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compliments upon him. He had now attained the age of forty-six. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for the better education of his children; and he again took his seat in the legislature of Vir- ginia.
By the southern whigs, he was sent to the national convention at Harrisburg to nominate a president in 1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Harrison, a genuine whig, much to the disappointment of the south, who wished for Henry Clay. To conciliate the southern whigs and to secure their vote, the convention then nominated John Tyler for vice president. Thus it happened that a whig president and, in reality, a democratic vice president were chosen.
In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated vice president of the United States. In one short
JOHN TYLER.
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month from that time Pres. Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own sur- prise and that of the whole nation, an occu- pant of the presidential chair. This was a new test of the stability of our institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our country that such an event had occurred. Mr. Tyler was at home in Williamsburg when he received the unexpected tidings of the death of Pres. Harrison. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of April was inaugurated to the high and responsible office. Gen. Harrison had selected a whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- selors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, on the other hand, should he turn against the party which had elected him and select a cabinet in harmony with himself, and which would oppose all those views which the whigs deemed essential to the public wel- fare? This was his fearful dilemma, and so he invited the cabinet which Pres. Harrison had selected to retain their seats.
The whigs carried through congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. The president, after ten days' delay, returned it with his veto. He suggested, however, that he would approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back with his veto. Here com- menced the open rupture. It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this measure by a pub- lished letter from the Hon. John M. Botts, a distinguished Virginia whig, who severely touched the pride of the president.
The opposition now exultingly received the president into their arms. The party which elected him denounced him bitterly. All the members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Web- ster, resigned. The whigs of congress, both the
senate and the house, held a meeting and issued an address to the people of the United States, proclaiming that all political alliances between the whigs and Pres. Tyler were at an end.
Still the president attempted to conciliate. He appointed a new cabinet of distinguished whigs and conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, forced out by the pressure of his whig friends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tylor's unfortunate administra- tion passed sadly away. More and more, however, he brought himself into sympathy with his old friends, the democrats, until, at the close of his term, he gave his whole influ- ence to the support of Mr. Polk, the demo- cratic candidate for his successor.
On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from office, to the regret of neither party, and probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife, Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; and in June, 1844, Pres. Tyler was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and intellectual accomplishments.
The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly in retirement at his beautiful home- Sherwood Forest, Charles City county, Va. A polished gentleman in his manners, richly furnished with information from books and experience in the world, and possessing bril- liant powers of conversation, his family circle was the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few friends who gathered around him, were it not for the storms of civil war which his own principles and policy had helped to introduce.
When the great rebellion rose, which the state rights and nullifying doctrines of John C. Calhoun had inaugurated, Pres. Tyler re- nounced his allegiance to the United States,
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and joined the confederates. He was chosen a member of their congress; and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by force of arms, the government over which he had once pre- sided, he was taken sick and soon died.
J AMES KNOX POLK, the eleventh president of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg county, N. C., November 2, 1795. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Kr. x) Polk, the former a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 1735.
In the year 1806, with his wife and chil- dren, and soon after followed by most of the members of the Polk family, Samuel Polk emi- grated some two or three hundred miles further west, to the rich valley of the Duck river, Tenn. Here, in the midst of the wilderness, in a region which was subsequently called Maury county, they reared their log huts, and estab- lished their homes. In the hard toil of a new farm in the wilderness, James K. Polk spent the early years of his childhood and youth. His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth until he became one of the leading men of the region.
Very early in life, James developed a taste for reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain a liberal education. His mother's training had made him methodical in his habits, had taught him punctuality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty principles of morality. His health was frail; and his father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the counter, hoping to fit hiin for commercial pursuits. He remained in this uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his earnest solicitation his father removed him,
and made arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Mur- freesboro academy. In the autumn of 1815 he entered the sophomore class in the university of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. He grad- uated in 1818, with the highest honors, being deemed the best scholar of his class, both in mathematics and classics. He was then twenty-three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this time much impaired by the assi- duity with which he had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of relaxation he went to Nashville, Tenn., and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jack- son, who resided on his plantation, the Her- mitage, but a few miles from Nashville.
James K. Polk was a popular public speaker, and was constantly called upon to address the meetings of his party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic na- ture in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected to the legislature of Tennes- see. Here he gave his strong influence toward the election of his friend, Mr. Jackson, to the presidency of the United States.
In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah Childress, of Rutherford county, Tenn. His bride was altogether worthy of him-a lady of beauty and culture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a member of congress. The satisfaction which he gave to his constit- uents may be inferred from the fact, that for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was continued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might accept the gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In congress he was a laborious member, a frequent and popular speaker. He was always in his seat,
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JAMES K. POLK.
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always courteous; and whenever he spoke it was always to the point, and without any am- bitious rhetorical display.
During five sessions of congress, Mr. Polk . was speaker of the house. Strong passions were aroused, and stormy scenes were witness- ed; but Mr. Polk performed his arduous duties to a very general satisfaction, and a unani- mous vote of thanks to him was passed by the house as he withdrew on the 4th of March, 1839.
On the 14th of October, 1839, he took the oath of office as governor of Tennessee at Nashville. In 1841, his term of office ex- pired, and he was again the candidate of the democratic party, but was defeated. On the 4th of. March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugurated president of the United States. The verdict of the country in favor of the annexation of Texas exerted its influence upon congress; and the last act of the administration of President Tyler was to affix his signature to a joint reso- lution of congress, passed on the 3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and left the country, declaring the act of annexation to be an act hostile to Mexico.
In his message, President Polk urged that Texas should immediately, by act of congress, be received into the Union on the same foot- ing with the other states. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected batteries which commanded the Mexican city of Matamo- ras, which was situated on the western banks.
The anticipated collision soon took place, and
war was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first called one of "observation," then of "occupation," then of "invasion," was sent forward to Monte- rey. The feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly and awfully slaughtered. It was by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administra- tion that the war was brought on.
"To the victors belong the spoils." Mex- ico was prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. We now consented to peace upon the condition that Mexico should sur- render to us, in addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Califor- nia. This new demand embraced, exclusive 'of Texas, 800, 000 square miles. This was an extent of territory equal to nine states of the size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen majestic states to be added to the Union. In the prosecution of this war we ex- pended 20,000 lives and more than $ 100, 000, - 000. Of this more than $15,000, 000 were paid to Mexico.
On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk re- tired from office, having served one term. The next day was Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated as liis successor. Mr. Polk rode to the capitol in the same carrriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to Ten- nessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits and his health was good. With an ample fortune, a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the cholera-the awful scourge-was then sweep- ing up the valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth year of his age.
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ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth presi- dent of the United States, was born on the 24th of November, 1784, in Orange county, Va. His father, Colonel Taylor, was a Virginian of note, and a distinguished patriot and soldier of the Revo- lution. When Zachary was an infant, his father, with his wife and two children, emi- grated to Kentucky, where he settled, a few miles from Louisville. In this frontier home young Zachary could enjoy but few social and educational advantages. When six years of age he attended a common school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- acter. He was strong, fearless and self-reli- ant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight the Indians who were ravag- ing the frontiers.
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him the commission of lietenant in the United States army; and he joined the troops which were stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady from one of the first families of Maryland.
Immediately after the declaration of war with England, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort Harrison, on the Wa- bash, about fifty miles above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilderness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garrison con- sisted of a broken company of infantry num- bering fifty men, many of whom were sick. Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, and in large numbers; moved upon the fort. Their approach was first indicated by the murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor made every possi- ble preparation to ineet the anticipated as-
sault. On the 4th of September, a band of forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their chief would come to have a talk with him. It was evident that their object was merely to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept them at a distance. The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips in the forest around, followed by the discharge of musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that defeat was not merely death, but in case of capture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged torture. The savages succeeded in setting fire to one of the block- houses. Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. Taylor, for this gal- lant defense, was promoted to the rank of major by brevet.
Until the close of the war, Major Taylor was placed in such situations that he saw but little more of active service. He was sent far away into the depths of the wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox river, which empties into Green bay. Gradually he rose to the rank of colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in the capture of that renowned . chieftain, Col. Taylor took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in the defense of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in employments so obscure, that his name was unknown beyond the limits of his own imme- diate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and retire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs, by treaty, had
ZACHARY TAYLOR.
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promised they should do. The services ren- dered here secured Col. Taylor the high ap- preciation of the government; and as a reward, he was elevated to the rank of brigadier-gen- eral by brevet; and soon after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief command of the United States troops in Florida. After two years of such wearisome employment, Gen. Taylor obtained, at his own request, a change of command, and was stationed over the de- partment of the southwest. This field em- braced Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters at Fort Jesup, in Louisiana, he removed his fam- ily to a plantation which he purchased near Baton Rouge. Here he remained for five years,. buried, as it were, from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty imposed upon him.
In 1846 Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the Mex- icans. The rank of major-general by brevet was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista, in which he won signal victories over forces much larger than he commanded. His careless habits of dress and his unaffected simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready."
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The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The whig party decided to take ad- vantage of this wonderful popularity in bring- ing forward the unpolished, uncultured, honest soldier as their candidate for the presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announce-
ment, and for a time would not listen to it; declaring that he was not at all qualified for such an office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, for forty years, he had not cast a vote.
Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine writer. His friends took possession of him, and prepared such few communica- tions as it was needful should be presented to the public. The popularity of the successful warrior swept the land. He was triumph- antly elected over two opposing candidates- Gen. Cass and ex-Pres. Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself in a very uncon- genial position, and was, at times, sorely per- plexed and harassed. His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably tended to has- ten his death. The proslavery party was pushing its claims with tireless energy; expedi- tions were fitting out to capture Cuba; Cali- fornia was pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found the political con- flicts in Washington to be far more trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or Indians.
In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, after he had occupied the presidential chair but little over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness, of but litttle over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. His last words were; "I am not afraid to die. I am ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died universally respected and beloved.
Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful description of his character: " With a good store of common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been enlarged and re- freshed by reading, or much converse with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the consequence. The frontiers and small military posts had
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been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his rank, and quite bigoted in his igno- rance. His simplicity was child-like and with innumerable prejudices, amusing and in- corrigible, well suited to the tender age. Thus, if a man, however, respectable, chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an outside pocket-in any such case, this critic held the offender to be a coxcomb (per- haps something worse), whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phase, "touch with a pair of tongs."
ILLARD FILLMORE, thirteenth president of the United States, was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga county, N. Y., on the 7th of Janu-
ary, 1800. His father was a farmer, and, owing to misfortune, in humble circumstances. Of his mother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she possessed an intellect of very high order, united with much personal loveliness, sweetness of disposition, graceful manners and exquisite sensibilities. She died in 1831; having lived to see her son a young man of distinguished promise, though she was not per- mitted to witness the high dignity which he finally attained.
In consequence of the secluded home and limited means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender advantages for education in his early years. The sacred influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid the foundations of an upright character. When fourteen years of age his father sent him some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of Livingston county, to learn the trade of a clothier. Near the mill there was
a small village, where some enterprising man had commenced the collection of a village library. This proved an inestimable blessing to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in reading. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate, and the selections which he made were continually more elevating and instructive. He read history, biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- kindled in his heart a desire to be something more than a mere worker with his hands; and he was becoming, almost unknown to himself, a well informed, educated man.
The young clothier had now attained the age of nineteen years, and was of fine per- sonal appearance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample pecuniary means and of benevolence-Judge Walter Wood- who was struck with the prepossessing appear- ance of young Fillmore. He made his ac- quaintance, and was so much impressed with his ability and attainments that he ad- vised him to abandon his trade and devote himself to the study of law. The young man replied that he had no means of his own, no friends to help him, and that his previous edu- cation had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to take him into his own office, and to loan him such money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous offer . was ac- cepted.
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